I need your opinions 👀📖

Ok…

Serious question for the book girlies!

Would you rather

A. The MFC & MMC are forced apart because of a family tragedy (illness or death).

B. The MFC distances herself from the MMC because she thinks he cheated—but he actually didn’t.

#AskLemon8 #needopinions #help #books #writersoflemon8

2025/8/28 Edited to

... Read moreWhen crafting emotional conflicts between the main female character (MFC) and the main male character (MMC), it’s essential to consider not only the plot impact but also how readers will connect with the story. Family tragedies involving illness or death are common plot devices that evoke sympathy and add a somber tone, often deepening character development and allowing for themes of resilience and healing. This route usually creates a heartfelt, realistic drama that many readers find relatable. On the other hand, a scenario where the MFC distances herself due to a misunderstanding about cheating introduces intense interpersonal tension and drama. This type of conflict can generate suspense and keeps readers eager to see how the truth unravels, often driving themes of trust, forgiveness, and miscommunication. It taps into common relationship fears and can be very emotionally engaging. Choosing between the two depends on your story’s tone and messages. If your goal is to explore themes of loss and recovery, the family tragedy is powerful and poignant. If you aim to highlight the complexities of trust and misjudgment in relationships, a false cheating accusation provides rich narrative tension. Additionally, combining elements from both could deepen the plot — for example, a family tragedy ignites emotional strain that leads to misunderstandings and false accusations. Whatever path you choose, focusing on authentic character reactions and emotional depth will resonate most with readers. Engaging your audience by asking these questions, just like you did here, is a great way to gauge what will keep readers invested and connected.

11 comments

Heather's images
Heather

I’d say B. Seems like more room for it to get interesting and spicy. Option A seems like it’d be a tear jerker. I think spicy/mystery is more appealing than tear jerker. This is just my personal opinion tho!